There's nothing like a comforting hot chocolate on a cold winter's day. That toasty feeling in your hands as you pick up the hot chocolate in your favourite mug, the soft foam that kisses your lips as your take a sip for that decadent chocolate flavour and the ultimate satisfaction as it reaches and warms your body.

There's something about making your own hot chocolate in the comfort of your own home. The beauty about making your own hot chocolate is that you can tailor it to your own unique tastes. If you want something more rich and indulgent, add some more chocolate or cream. You can also add your own favourite flavours such as hazelnuts or coffee. The possibilities are endless.

Tips for a better hot chocolate

1. Use real chocolate

Using real chocolate instead of chocolate powder makes it more rich. Real chocolate contains cocoa butter which adds fat and makes the hot chocolate more thick and smooth for a more indulgent mouthfeel. The difficulty with using real chocolate is that it is more difficult to have a smooth emulsion with the fat from the cocoa butter and the water in the milk.

2. Add a pinch of salt

Salt will enhance the flavour of the chocolate and surprisingly round out the bitterness of the cocoa for a sweeter experience. Adding a pinch to a cup of hot chocolate is the secret ingredient to take it to the next level.

3. Emulsify with a hand blender

Hot chocolate is an emulsion containing fat from the cocoa butter and milk and it is mixed with the water from the milk. A hot chocolate may split or not be fully emulsified (especially when using real chocolate) which will affect the taste and texture in the mouth. The best way to get a perfect emulsion is using an hand blender.